Melton Cattle Market wins regional award

Melton Mowbray Cattle Market has won a prestigious award that recognises outstanding developments across the East Midlands.

The £5.5 million refurbishment of the market’s 4,292 sqm livestock facilities won Best Regeneration Project at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) East Midlands Awards which took place last night.

The RICS Awards are the premier property and construction awards in the country, honouring the most innovative projects in the region and their impact on local communities. Judges were impressed with the passion of all those involved and how crucial an impact phase one of the development will have on the future of Melton Mowbray.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Joe Orson said: “We are delighted that the Cattle Market has won the award for Regeneration as it is a real accolade to the hard work of everyone involved in the project. The Cattle Market is an integral part of Melton Mowbray’s economy and this award is testament to our drive to push forward and expand our rural development programme and secure Melton’s future as a thriving “Rural Capital of Food”.

Partner at Pick Everard – the national property, construction and infrastructure consultancy which delivered project and cost management services – Alastair Hamilton said: “This is a landmark feature in Melton Mowbray, sustaining local businesses as well as bringing thousands of tourists into the town every year. An anticipated 300 events have been planned and the new facilities are expected to attract 240,000 visitors annually. It is a project we’re particularly proud of, with its place in the town reaffirming Melton’s position as a premier rural food and drink destination. With 93 per cent of businesses in the town welcoming the scheme – having seen a noticeably increased footfall to the town – I’m sure that the new cattle market will be a great success.”

Hugh Brown, CEO of market operator Gillstream Markets Ltd said: “We are thrilled to win this award, which is testament to the hard work of all involved. It was a brave decision to renovate the town centre site and one that has been vindicated with record volumes, with benefits to town & country and truly bringing farm to fork.”

Melton Cattle Market will now go forward as Regional Award Winner in the National Awards to be held in November 2018.

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) allocated £3.5 million towards Melton Cattle Market through the Local Growth Fund. For more information about projects funded through the £126m Local Growth Fund, click here.